Ware Online Community Forum

warekiwi wrote:It does rather look as if plans have been going on in secret for some time though- have a look at the following website that I found just yesterday,
http://www.sworders-agri.co.uk/properti ... tml?id=373

That document was referenced on the old forum, together with a report in The Mercury, over six months ago, so hardly secret ...

http://www.wareonline.co.uk/haveyoursay ... IC_ID=6566

A link was also posted on this forum back in January

http://www.wareonline.co.uk/discussion/ ... f=32&t=104

Andrew wrote:I have seen a document - but it was on a table at the back of a church I was visiting! I was horrified by what I saw. Most towns seem to be able to have a lot of their houses on brown field sites with only a relatively small number on the green belt. Ware seems to have only a few on brown field sites and a huge number on the green belt. I was wondering then why I hadn't been sent a copy and I am pleased to see I am not the only one.

If everyone seeing a document is part of the planning process will the delay in sending out copies also delay the whole process?

For my money if we have to have it building new residential areas with the required infrastructure is a far better option than cramming more and more housing into already overloaded areas where the roads, sewers, water and electricity supply simply can't cope. (Harlow North is the best plan so far as I can see.) If they put more on brown fields (do we have any left) we will still need more schools etc so where can they put them? The added overload to the town's roads could only be accommodated if they ban all on street parking in the town.

If the powers that be would do some work on the rail network you could spread the new housing over a much wider area anyway.

It's complete madness to have new houses in this area, or indeed in the London area in general. You only have to look at the train services and roads all around London to see that they are running to capacity - the slightest delay leading to massive traffic build up on the roads and cancellations on the trains. Before more houses are considered the infrastructure should be improved to cope with the extra traffic.

We are seeing the result of overcrowding right now with the atrocious air quality all around us and most air pollution around here comes from road transport and residential emissions, so it's really clever to build more houses isn't it?

Look at the health service too, the doctors, dentists and hospital outpatients departments cannot cope with the recommendations of return visits from consultants, so more capacity is needed before more housing can be considered.

Look at the schools, all the secondary schools in the area are at capacity so new ones are needed before more housing can be considered.

Consider the developments we're already had that haven't been considered in the plans - the old co-op site was taken into account, but the Widbury Hill development has been ignored, the new development of the Trinity site has been ignored, the (proposed and actual) developments of the North and Central Maltings have been ignored.

I do have sympathy for the planning department, they have been given targets from central government who clearly don't care about the local area and infrastructure.

mb1 wrote:My mother got one. I haven't and I have been looking for it. From what I have read of the paper it looks like a deliberate attempt to destroy the character of Ware. Very surprised Save Our Green Spaces aren't up in arms about it.

SOGS was formed to defend the southern green spaces - Little Acres, Hoe Lane, Rugby Club, McMullens Land. It does not involve itself with land to the north of Ware - that requires a new (or related) action group.

Scottman wrote:

mb1 wrote:My mother got one. I haven't and I have been looking for it. From what I have read of the paper it looks like a deliberate attempt to destroy the character of Ware. Very surprised Save Our Green Spaces aren't up in arms about it.

SOGS was formed to defend the southern green spaces - Little Acres, Hoe Lane, Rugby Club, McMullens Land. It does not involve itself with land to the north of Ware - that requires a new (or related) action group.

Hence "Save our Green Spaces"

Or Save Some Green Spaces.

Thames Water are putting in a new sewer in The Bourne and a poster from their Contractor says it is to eliviate flooding for 2,500 homes.Does anybody know if this is in connection with the proposal in the draft district plan?.

Don't forget the closing date for commenting on the district plan is Thursday, so if you haven't replied, please do so.

At what point in the process do we make a formal complaint that the council has failed in its duty to ensure a copy is sent to every household ?

Comments in the press Many residents reported not receiving it, but the council said it was confident all homes had.
is not a sufficient response.

Reading various items on here and talking to people locally there are more than a few that have never received it

Like with most things. the bets you can do is complain and they will ignore.
They'll still get voted in so they only have to lip service to being in touch.
It's all part of the democratic process. Flawed as that is.